West Coast

Its remote reaches cut off from the rest of the country by the towering Main Divide, yet so long the focus of gold miners' efforts to make a fortune, 'The Coast' is steeped in history and is a fascinating drawcard for visitors after a rarer flavour of New Zealand life. Featured locations include: Lakes Paringa, Mahinapua and Rotoroa; Westport; Karamea; Cape Foulwind; Punakaiki; Greymouth; the Otira Gorge; the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers of South Westland; Lake Matheson and Lake Moeraki. Intrepid visitors will be interested in the annual Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.